Sea View

In the age of the ‘selfie’ it’s hard to imagine a time when capturing a moment for posterity required a second or even third party in the form of a professional photographer. Incredibly it was 100 years ago that luxury cruise line Cunard, first introduced onboard photographers to capture the glamour of life aboard its vessels – yet another luxurious inclusion to a Cunard cruise.

Now a new exhibition of images, curated by world-renowned photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney, captures the priceless moments from the last 100 years of the Cunard line – capturing life on board, celebrity guests and scenes that seem a million miles away from the present day.

The exhibition also marks the 100th anniversary of the first ever round the world voyage on Cunard’s ship, Laconia – an epic 130-day voyage that left New York on 21 November 1922 and arrived back back at the Big Apple on 30 March 1923 after calling at 22 ports around the globe. 

The images have been sourced from Cunard’s archives as well as personal photographs submitted by past and present guests.

They capture not only the glamour but the changing times, stretching back to the 1920s and presenting a veritable history in pictures. From the many stars and celebrities who have travelled on Cunard Line, to the many guests through 100 years of changing fashions and facilities onboard.

“It was a joy to dig deep into the archives and discover never-before-seen photographs that capture the essence of Cunard's signature moments,” says curator Mary McCartney of the exhibition.

“It was not just about showcasing the history, but also celebrating the millions of travellers who have embarked on unforgettable voyages across the globe. As I went through the archives and read the stories submitted by passengers from all corners of the world, I was struck by the strong sense of community and connection that Cunard has fostered over the years. It was an honour to bring those stories to life through the exhibition.”

From Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, transporting troops on Queen Mary to cowboys on horseback – it’s been quite a century and the exhibition from Conrad captures a fascinating microcosm of those 100 years.